All Rise

The little prince has deemed standing to be the position most befitting his dignity:

He spends as much time as possible standing. When not on his feet, he’s clamouring to be helped up. It’s very cute – especially when he first gets up and starts doing the victory dance, stepping back and forth, his fat little legs moving somewhat spastically in every direction. He tells me how proud he is with squeals and giggles: “See this, Mom?! I’m UP!”

The need to stand started sometime in the past two weeks, I think, though I don’t remember exactly when. Although our whole time here has sped by, now that we’re approaching the end of our stay, the days seem to be careening into one another. Last week began with saying goodbye to Bill & Susan. On Wednesday, we invited Fr. Kenneth and Catriona to dinner at our place. We had a lovely time – once our guests had left B and I commented on how blessed the parishioners at St. Mary’s are (ourselves included) to have such good and generous people serving their community. The following Saturday we had a Spanish cookery night at the presbytery – the sequel to last month’s Italian Night. Christy was the head chef this time, and with the help of sous-chef Brendan and a team of able hands, served a fantastic Spanish meal! It was great fun, in true CathSoc style! 

Liam helping to prepare the Spanish dinner!

On Sunday, B and I participated in the second Growing Married session. Two more couples joined us for the discussion this time, bringing their insights and experience to the table. I really enjoyed the session and look forward to the next one in May.

Much of our activity this week has been focused on the celebration of Holy Week. On Tuesday, I went to Edinburgh with the Catholic Society to attend the archdiocesan Chrism Mass (during which holy oils for priestly ordinations, confirmations, and anointing of the sick are blessed for use in the archdiocese that year). After the Mass we enjoyed a meal together at an Italian restaurant. Brendan stayed home with Liam that night and invited a few friends over for the first BBQ of the season. They were still going strong when I got home, so I extended my bedtime well past what it should have been. Fortunately, the boy slept reasonably well that night!

On Wednesday we gathered again with the Catholic Society, this time for a Passover meal. I had never been to a Seder meal, so I enjoyed learning the ritual. Brendan’s family adopted this tradition while he was growing up, and since he was always the youngest at the table, he was the one to ask the questions – “Why is this night different from all others night?”, etc. This time Liam was the youngest, but since he can’t speak and was sleeping at the time, his role went to the next closest in age (older by about 18 years!). Being the only mother present, I got to play that role, lighting the candles and saying the blessing before the meal. 

The evening was very enjoyable, until the end when an unfortunate accident occurred with the minibus. Brendan, Liam and I had left by that time, but we heard of it the next day. One of the students was injured in the accident. After a night in hospital and several stitches, she went back to Catriona’s to recover. Liam and I went to visit her on Thursday and Friday – he made her smile, which I was glad to see.

Thursday I went to Mass alone. Liam had finally gone to sleep, and given the tone of the day (extremely fussy!), we decided to keep it that way. I enjoyed some time of adoration afterwards, at the altar of repose. I always feel a strong pull to be with Jesus on Holy Thursday – it was nice to be able to take the time this year. Yesterday we attended the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion as a family and Liam behaved very well (we brought snacks!).

Some years, my experience of Holy Week has been very intense. This year it has been more subtle, but not without its moments of grace. The most beautiful thing I have witnessed this year is the conversion of a friend – to see the Lord touch someone’s heart brings the drama of the cross to life in such a meaningful way. I have also been blessed with rejuvenating moments of prayer, and two particular reminders of the importance of my vocation.

One came yesterday as I was trying to write an email about Jesus and Liam was wailing in the background. I really wanted to get the email done and was trying desperately to block out the annoying racket behind me. Then I realized that my duty of the moment was not to write about Jesus, but to care for my son. I kept thinking, “I just need to send this email. This is important.” And the Lord nudged me gently, saying, “Right now, your little boy is more important.” It was a simple reminder that the way I can best serve him is by caring for my family – that this is my opportunity to unite myself to both Christ’s cross and resurrection. Postponing the email to tend to Liam was a simple thing, but so is most of daily life. I was grateful for the reminder.

The next one came today. Liam had been fussy all day and by late afternoon I was approaching my wits' end. After several vain attempts to make the whining stop, I tried food. We sat on the kitchen floor, both of us exhausted, and I fed him a banana. As I cut pieces of fruit and fed them to him with a plastic spoon, the thought occurred to me again: “This is my vocation.” Not specifically to sit on the floor with a banana, but to meet my son’s needs -even when I don’t feel like it, even when I’m exhausted, even when his whining is really getting on my nerves. This is my vocation, this is how I can lay down my life. Another simple reminder of what it means to follow Christ.

Although I wish I would have prepared more for Holy Week, prayed more during Lent, focused more on Christ’s Passion in the past few days, I don’t feel I’ve wasted the grace of this week. I suppose different things stand out to us at different times – this year, God used Liam to teach me about his love. When I extend my hands towards my little boy, he grabs them without hesitation and immediately pulls himself up. He trusts that I will support him and allow him to rise to his full stature (all 2 feet of it!). God the Father also extends his hands to us, bidding us to take hold of him so that we might assume our true dignity – that of men and women redeemed.

Happy Easter, everyone!